Portable receptacle



June 12', 1934. R HERRMANN 1,962,594

PORTABLE RECEPTACLE' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1934 J n 2, 1934- RHERRMANN PORTABLE RECEPTACLE' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1, 1934 Patented June 12, 1934.

UNITED STATES PORTABLE RECEPTACLE Robert Herrmann,

New York, N. Y., signor to Heinrich, Herrmann & Weiss, New York, N. Y., a copartnership composed of Adolph Weiss and Robert Herrmann Application March 1, 1934, Serial No. 713,457

3 Claims.

' This invention relates to portable receptacles, and has among its objects the provision of a device of the character described having improved means whereby the receptacle can be fully opened for the orderly reception or convenient placement therein of various kinds of articles.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the nature set forth having a slide fastener and improved means associated therewith to facilitate the use of the slide fastener both in connected and disconnected conditions, and to render the action of the device positive, or automatic, or both.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a device of the class specified having improved means for use with a slide fastener whether the same be of the permanently connected kind or of the type wherein the slide element is detachable from a portion of the fastener. A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character alluded to having relatively few and simple parts, and which is inexpensive to manufacture, convenient and reliable in operation, neat in appearance, and durable and efficient in use by the ordinary unmechanical person. r

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as thespecification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same 'reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view in fully open position thereof, the slide being in detached position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in end elevation of the device, the slide fastener being open but the slide being in connected condition.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective viewof thedevice as shown'in Fig. 4, but with the receptacle walls swung open. I

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 5, but

. with the slide detached, so that the receptacle can be fully expanded. I

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view in end elevation showing a modified means for controlling the detachment of the slide, the fastener being open and the slide fully attached.

Fig. 8 is a similar view of the same with the controlling means detached, and showing initial release of the slide.

Fig. 9 is asmilar view of the same and showing the automatic disconnection of the slide coincident with the full outward swinging of the receptacle walls.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view with parts in perspective showing the disconnected slide fastener and structural details of the latter.

.Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional viewtaken on the line 11-41 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view in end elevation of a further modification of the invention in closed position.

The advantages of the invention as here out-' 'lined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities arecombined in one and 5 the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same 1 may be incorporated in several different construc- 30 tions. The accompanying drawings, therefore, are submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 15 denotes a device such as a portable receptacle embody- 5 ing the invention. The receptacle may have for illustrative purposes, a pair of substantially parallel side walls 16, 1'7. The. receptacle may be horizontally elongated, and its lower portion may have a longitudinal partition 18, interconnected with the side walls by continuous bottom and end gussets' 19, 20 respectively. In this manner, compartmentszl, 22 are provided, the latter being normally contracted andthe former normally expanded and provided with sub-compartments, not shown, for various different articles. The

' upperportion of the receptacle may have continuous flexible marginal portions or flaps such as 23, 24 for the respective walls 16, 1'7, and extending along top and end edges of said walls. Releasably interconnecting said marginal portions is a conventional slide fastener 25, whereby a continuous, uniform closure wall is pro'z'ided for the receptacle.

Desirably the side walls 16, 17 of the receptacle 15 are adapted to be collapsed as by having longitudinal hinge lines as at 26 parallel to the upper and lower edges of the receptacle. The said hinge lines may be substantially in alinement with the meeting portions of the gussets 19, 20 11 strong multiply structure as and the marginal portions'23, 24 at the ends of the receptacle. A suitable construction for each wall 16, 17 consists in utilizing two sheets of sheet reenforcement or stiff paper board 27, 28, longitudinally spaced from each other along the region 26. These reenforceme'nts may be externally covered by a single-sheet of pliable fabric, such as cloth or leather 29, and internally covered by a similar pliable sheet of material 30. The latter may only partially cover the reenforcement 28. Continuous lines of stitching 31 may interconnect the gussets 19, 20 with the reenforcei'nents 22 and the external covering 29, the latter being secured in infolded relation about the adjacent edges of the gussets and reenforcements. The continuous lines of stitching 31 may also interconnect the reenforcements 27 with the linings 30 and the coverings 29, the latter being likewise secured in infolded relation over the former. Horizontal lines of stitching at 33 may interconnect the linings 30 with the reenforcements 28. The several parts of the wall structure may also be adhesively interengaged as required. The external coverings may-provide end lips continuously stitched at'34to the marginal flaps 23, 24 respectively. The gussets 19, 20 may be of one piece of material, and continuously stitched to the partition 18 as at 35. It will be understood that the line of stitching 35 will extend throughout the gussets at the bottom and ends of the receptacle, the lines of stitching 31 being substantially continuous'along the top, bottom and ends of the receptacle, and the lines of stitching 34 extending along the top and ends of the receptacle coextensive withthe marginal portions 23, 24.

To facilitate the swinging open of the flap portions F, F of the walls 16', 17, about the hinge lines 26, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the flexible marginal portions 23, 24 may each have identical pliable tongues 36, 37, respectively which are continuous with said portions and project downward therefrom from points as at 39 determined by the hinge lines 26. The tongues or tabs 36, 37 externally overlie the adjacent portions of the gussets 19, 20 and normally fall between the side walls 16, 17 as shown in Fig. 1. The opposite ends of the flexible marginal portions may terminate as at 39 in Fig. 3, slightly below the upper edge of the adjacent upright gussets.

The slide fastener 25 may include the usual series of interlocking hooks 40 secured to fabric stripping 41 and continuously stitched as at 42 to the flexible marginal portions 23, 24 from end to end thereof, including the tabs 36, 37. The latter may consist of material underfolded upon itself at the lower edges of the tabs to afford a shown in Fig. 11, and hereinafter described in detail.

. While the slide fastener may be of the permanently interconnected type, I preferably employ one in which the slide is in part detachable. For example, the fastener 25 may include conventional fastener details including a slide 43, a finger piece 44 therefor and releasably interengageable guide elements 45, 46, as shown particularly in Fig. 10. These elements may have similar anchor portions of sheet metal which extend transversely into the ends of the tabs 36, 37. Specifically, the tab material has an underfolded portion 48 enclosingthe anchorage and stitching 49. To these tabs the anchorages are individually-secured as by rivets or eyelets pass- ,may be closed by 47 in the nature of strips.

ing through the tabs and suitable holes in the anchor strips 47.

The element 45 is provided with a tubular portion 51, longitudinally open at 52; and having a stop projection 53 below the tubular portion and in line therewith. The element 46 includes an elongated substantially tubular or hollow pin 54 alined with the respective series of hooks 40, and adapted for removable insertion into the guideway 55 of the slide and being of sufficient length to extend into the guide 51 with the lower end of the pin in abutment with the stop 53. When so assembled, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the slide fastener 25 can be closed in the usual manner, by merely drawing the slide 43 along the fastener to the ends 39, at which further movement of the slide is suitably stopped, the receptacle being then completely closed.

When the slide fastener 25 is opened, by moving the slide 43 into abutment. with the guide portion 51, which is as far as the slide will travel, the fastener is not only open, but the pin 54 may be readily pulled out from engagement with the slide and the element 45 so as to disconnect the slide from one side of the fastener, as shown in When the receptacle 15 has been packed, it

for reinserting the pin 46, whereupon the slide 43 can be pulled to close the fastener.

A limited degree of expansibili ty in the compartments of the receptacle is provided by the tabs 36, 37 themselves. Thus when the slide fastener is opened, although the slide is not detached, nevertheless on swinging the flaps F, F, to open position, the flexible tabs yield and generally spring outward as shown in Fig. 5, due to the tension exerted thereon by the continuous marginal portions 23, 24 wardly by the flaps F, F.

It will-be noted thatwhen the receptacle 15 is opened as in Fig. 5, the pin 54 tends to frictionally remain in engagement with the slide and which are pulled outrectly upon laterally swinging the flap F, so as to avoid the necessity of pulling the pin out of engagement by manually grasping a tab or associated part; and, second, to provide a convenient means for maintaining the pin 54 fully engaged to permit manipulation of the slide without a binding due to improper interpositioning .of the slide fastener hooks. coincidentally with, or independently of the second object, it is desired to afford a reliable and particularly simple means grasping the flexible tab [37 can be accomplished by such a coordination of the mounting elements for the slide fastener that the flaps F and .F are swung open,

The element 59 over, the elasticity of in the usual manner.

ventional releasable snap the lateral pull at the pin 54, indicated inFig. 5, becomes generally axial as shown in Fig. 8. This result I accomplish bycontinuous attachment of the tab 36a to a fixed part, such as the wall 16. For instance, the line of stitching 31 maybe carried continuously along the outer edge of the tab 361:, and the latter additionally tacked asat 58 to the adiacent edge of the wall 16. ,If now the tab 3'1 is raised more than the tab. 361:, so that the pin 54 is pulled upward and released to detach the slide 43.

Control of the release and reconnection of the slide .43 may be effected by means controlling the relative movement. of the tabs 36a and 3'1. preferably independently of the fiaps F, F, and in any case despite. the tendency of the latter to influence this action( I have found a simple expedient for effecting these results by providing the tab 3'1 with releasable anchorage or extension such as a strap 59, that may be suitably connected as at 60 to the tab 3'1 at the back thereof, and extends downward therefrom to be detachably, connected to a relatively fixed part, such as the partition wall 18, externally of the receptacle.

The connection may be of the snap fastener type 61, including head and socket. elements 62, 63 respectively, for the strap and partition, the latter havingv its fastener element riveted or otherwise secured thereto through the adjacent gusset material in a manner that will be readily understood. If desired, the strap59 may be inelastic, but elastic webbing material is preferable.

In use, the element 59, in the attached position of .Fig. '1, exerts a constant downward tension on the tab 37 so as to maintain the pin 54fully seated in the socket 51. Otherwise, an upward pull on slide 43 tends to elevate the pin 54 so that the slide fastener hooks cannot interfit, thus causing the slide to bind. This is extremely annoying particularly to an unmechanical person. While the pin 54 may be'locked in the socket 51, the necessary means would require manipulation of objectionably small mechanical parts, inconvenient and difficult to observe and to handle. being attached, any accidental the slide is prevented. Morethe element 59 will permit a degree of upward movement of the tab 3'1 on outward swinging of the wall flaps, to afford flexibility in the action of the receptacle; and even if the pin 54 is withdrawn to some extent from its socket 51, the swinging back to vertical of the wall flaps will cause automatic resetting of the slide fastener elements by the strap 59.

If the strap 59 is disconnected at 61, the pin 54 is readily detached as hereinbefore described.'

disconnection of Reconnection may be quickly efiecied by inserting the pin 54 through the guide 55 of the slide into the socket 51 and securing the strap 59 at 61. The slidefastener can then .be manipulated again In Fig.1? is shown a further modification 65 of the invention which is similar in principle to. the device 5'1, and is ecisely the samein construction therewith, except that the element 59 is replaced by laterally overlapping identical flaplets 66, 6'! on the tabs 36!), 37b disposed below, the slide fastener and interconnected by the confastener 68. It is noted may also be connected "without distortion of the stantially that one element of the latter is in clow proximity to the anchorage 47 or the stop 53 or other suitable fixed rigid part, or in substantial contact therewith so as to maintain the tabs 36!), 37b in accurate relation to accomplish substantially the objects of. the device 5'1. If desired,- the snapfastener element that is secured to the tab 361) to said'anchorage, while the other element and its flaplet'66 is preferably freely movable for connection and release of the snap fastener. A portion of the socket 51 and its stop 53 may be disposed within the flaplet 67, the plies of which may be open sumciently to permit the entrance, of the pin 54 into the socket as hereinbefore mentioned.

By virtue of the alined relation of the snap fastener 68 with the slide fastener, any stress exerted on the former is uniformly taken up, pliable structure of the device. The features 65 to 68, as well as 59 and 61 can be incorporated as desired in the device 15.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications .may in the drawings, and that the same is submitted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined in the following claims. i

I claim: r

1. A portable receptacle-having walls swingable apart from each other, the receptacle having be made in the device as shown movable portion connected to one of the said walls for movementthe'reby, a slide fastener continuously interconnecting said walls and said portions, said slide fastener having longitudinally disconnectible portions and said walls being adapted to cause said disconnection on swin i movement away from each other, and means releasably connecting the said movable portion with a relatively fixed part of the receptacle to prevent disconnection of the slide fastener portions.

2. A portable receptacle having a relatively fixed portion and including walls having a slide fastener, the latter including end portions longitudinally relatively movable for detachment of the slide from one of said portions, one of said walls being swingable, one of said slide fastener portions being connected to the swingable wall for detaching movement thereby, the other corresponding part of the slide fastener being connected to said relatively fixed portion, whereby relatively stiff throughout, a gusset continuously interconnecting the side walls 1 'along the bottom and ends thereof substantially up to the horizontal plane of the hinge line, fiexiblemarginal strips individually connected to said walls continuously along the tops and end thereof subdownto the planeof the hinge line, said flexible marginal strips having end portions at one end of the receptacle projecting downward below the plane of the hinge line and at least one of said end projecting portions being movable relatively to the side walls, and a slide fastener continuously interconnecting said flexible marginal strips, including said end projecting portions centrally therebetween, the width of said marginal strips and slide fastener being approximately equal to that of said gusset in on swinging said swingable wall away from the substantially expanded condition of the latter,

to facilitate interconnection of the said end portions of the slide fastener, as set forth.

ROBERT HERRMANN. 

